Higher operating reliability with Alfa Laval Compabloc

Better customer service and more reliable uptime are the main reasons why a Russian oil and gas company are replacing the heat exchangers in the crude preheat train in one of its refineries with Alfa Laval Compablocs.

DATE 2023-11-28

The refinery was having issues with leakage, due to corrosion, in its existing heat exchangers from another supplier. The plant’s engineering team therefore turned to Alfa Laval to discuss a possible solution and the decision to replace the existing heat exchangers with Alfa Laval Compablocs was made. The plan is to replace 3–4 of the existing heat exchangers every year until all 20 positions have been upgraded.

Alfa Laval Compabloc heat exchangers are installed in a large number of crude preheat trains around the world and are very well suited for handling heavy oil products. The unique plate design and butt-to-butt weld joints ensure there are no crevices or dead zones where corrosion can start.

 

Customized measurements

The customer required the new heat exchangers to have the exact same measurements as the existing ones to avoid unnecessary costs for altering the piping and support structures. Alfa Laval fulfilled these  requirements, making it very easy for the customer to install the new units.

Alfa Laval Compabloc heat exchangerThe compact, fully welded Compabloc heat exchanger is designed to operate with a wide range of aggressive media and at high temperatures and pressures. 

More about Compabloc 

Fast facts

The plant

  • A refinery in western Siberia

The challenge

  • To increase the operating reliability of the heat exchangers in the crude preheat train

The solution

  • Replace the existing heat exchangers with Alfa Laval Compablocs

The benefits

  • Higher operating reliability
  • Much better access to qualified service.

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